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meatloaf recipe pioneer woman
- Total Time: 110 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: General
Description
This savory meatloaf features a rich filling of smoked Gouda cheese and roasted red peppers, delivering a moist and flavorful take on a classic comfort food perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 900 g (2 lbs) lean ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 medium (150 g) yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small (100 g) red bell pepper, finely diced
- 120 ml (0.5 cup) whole milk
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 120 g (1.5 cups) Panko breadcrumbs
- 10 g (2 teaspoons) fine sea salt
- 2.5 g (0.5 teaspoon) freshly ground black pepper
- 5 g (1 teaspoon) smoked paprika
- 200 g jarred roasted red peppers, drained and patted dry
- 150 g (1.5 cups) smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
- For the Glaze:
- 120 ml (0.5 cup) ketchup
- 30 g (2 tablespoons) light brown sugar, packed
- 15 ml (1 tablespoon) apple cider vinegar
- 2.5 g (0.5 teaspoon) smoked paprika
- For Garnish:
- 15 g (0.25 cup) fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely diced roasted red pepper
Instructions
- Prep Oven and Meat Mixture: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a very large bowl, combine the ground beef, diced onion, minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, milk, beaten eggs, Panko breadcrumbs, sea salt, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika. Mix gently with hands until just combined; do not overmix.
- Prepare the Filling: Finely process the drained roasted red peppers in a food processor until a chunky paste forms. In a separate small bowl, combine this processed red pepper paste with the shredded smoked Gouda cheese and the remaining 0.5 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
- Form the Meatloaf and Add Filling: On the prepared baking sheet, press half of the meatloaf mixture into a rectangular loaf shape (approx. 20 cm x 10 cm or 8 inches x 4 inches). Spread the roasted red pepper and smoked Gouda filling evenly over the surface, leaving a 1.5 cm (0.5 inch) border around the edges.
- Finish Shaping and Prepare Glaze: Carefully top with the remaining meatloaf mixture, shaping it to completely cover the filling and seal all edges. In a small bowl, prepare the glaze by whisking together the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika until smooth.
- Bake the Meatloaf (First Phase): Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from the oven and spread half of the glaze evenly over the top of the loaf.
- Bake and Rest (Second Phase): Return to the oven and continue baking for another 30-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 71°C (160°F) in the center. If the glaze starts to brown too quickly, loosely tent the loaf with aluminum foil. Once cooked, let the meatloaf rest on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Slice and Garnish: Slice into thick portions. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and diced roasted red pepper. Drizzle any remaining glaze over individual slices before serving.
Notes
To avoid a tough meatloaf, be careful not to overmix the meat mixture. Ensure the roasted red peppers are patted very dry to prevent excess liquid in the filling. Always let the meatloaf rest for 10-15 minutes after baking before slicing to ensure it holds its shape.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 75 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (180 g)
- Calories: 520 calories
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg